A University of Jos undergraduate, Abel Joro, who sustained severe injuries during the recent violence in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, has been confirmed dead.
The student, described as “full of life, dreams and hope,” reportedly died in the Intensive Care Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) after battling to survive injuries from the attack.
His death was announced on Monday morning by Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Plateau State, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss.
“Abel Gacho Joro, a young 200 level student of UniJos full of life, full of dreams, full of hope is gone tonight,” he wrote.
“After fighting with everything he had to stay alive in the Intensive Care Unit at JUTH… this is too painful, this is too heavy for the heart to carry.”
Dachomo lamented the emotional devastation inflicted on the victim’s family and the wider community.
“A mother somewhere is crying uncontrollably, a father is broken, a family shattered beyond words,” he added.
“He fought, he held on, he refused to give up, but the pain was too much for his body to carry.”
The cleric further decried the recurring violence in Plateau State, questioning the continued loss of innocent lives.
“Oh God, this kind of sorrow is unbearable. Why so much blood? Why so many tears? Why are innocent lives taken like this? We are tired of mourning, we are tired of saying goodbye.”
Earlier reports had indicated that students and staff of the University of Jos were among victims of the deadly attack.
A campus-focused platform, Campus9ja, had disclosed that at least two undergraduates and a staff member were victims of the violence, identifying victims as Patrick Ishaya, a 300-level student of Geography and Planning; Abel Joro of the Building department; and Duguryil Ufialas Daniel, a hall officer at the postgraduate hostel.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university was also said to have visited survivors receiving treatment at JUTH.
The latest death adds to a growing list of casualties linked to the Anguwan Rukuba crisis, which has triggered widespread fear among residents and the academic community.
SaharaReporters previously reported the killing of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Haruna Ibrahim during the same wave of violence. Ibrahim was reportedly attacked and killed on the very day he was scheduled to take part in his Passing-Out Parade.
The string of killings has sparked outrage and intensified calls for urgent government intervention.
A resident, Peter Ganchok, described the situation as devastating.
“What makes this loss even more painful is that yesterday was meant to be his Passing Out Parade… Instead, his life was cut short,” he said.
Students and concerned Nigerians have continued to raise an alarm over the deteriorating security situation, urging authorities to act swiftly.
“We are calling on all friends and comrades to tag the Nigerian president and IGP to urgently send protection to Jos, especially UNIJOS now. They are so scared,” a concerned citizen, Rhoda Nanre, had said.
The University of Jos Alumni Association had also expressed concern, calling for increased security presence, including round-the-clock patrols and intelligence-led surveillance to protect lives on campus.